Information processing apparatus, method, and program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus comprises a softmask setting means for setting a softmask every combination of objects of an overlap portion of the objects and a softmask applying means for applying the softmask to the overlap portion of the objects in accordance with the setting performed by the softmask setting means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a creation of a document constructed by objectssuch as text, image, and the like and, more particularly, to a settingof a softmask.

BACKGROUND ART

A Print On Demand (hereinbelow, referred to as “POD”) is a digital printtechnique maximally using a digital image forming apparatus such asdigital copying apparatus, digital multifunction apparatus, or the like.As a merit of the POD, such merits that it is advantageous for printingof a small lot and a short delivery date and a Variable Data Print(hereinbelow, referred to as “VDP”) in which a printing that iscustomized every customer is realized can be performed can be mentioned.A print system for realizing the VDP is generally called a VDP system.Print data in the VDP system is generally called VDP data. A documentserving as a source for forming the VDP data is called a VDP document.

In the VDP data which is used in the VDP, it is divided into a fixedportion and a variable portion and the data in the variable portion issupplied from database data such as RDB (Relational Database), CSV(Comma Separated Values) file, or the like.

Hereinbelow, the database data is referred to as “DB data”. The variableportion is called “variable region” and the fixed portion is called“fixed region” hereinbelow. The DB data has various kinds of informationsuch as character string information like a name, sex, an address, andthe like of the customer, numerical value information like an age andthe like, and the like.

The VDP document is formed by a VDP application having an editingfunction of the VDP document. The VDP application has a user interfacefor designating positions and a layout of the variable region and thefixed region. The VDP application also has a user interface fordesignating conditions and the like for deciding an object to be printedinto each variable region on the basis of information of the DB data.The object is an object constructing a print document such as text,image, or the like and a type of attribute of the object such as text,image, or the like is hereinbelow called an object type. It is assumedthat the image includes graphics. The object has, for example,information regarding a size such as width and height, informationregarding a color of the object, and the like.

Further, the VDP application has a function for forming the VDP data onthe basis of a designated item. Many of the VDP data is described byusing a structured PDL (Structured Page Description Language) for theVDP. The structured PDL is a PDL in which a document structure of thePDL is expressed by using a markup language. The structured PDL is a PDLin which a document structure of the PDL is described by a markuplanguage based on, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language). PPML(Personalized Print Markup Language) is one of VDP language formats forefficiently performing the VDP printing. The PPML has a layer structurebased on the XML format. The PPML is output as a print job from the VDPapplication. A print job of the VDP described by the PPML is hereinbelowcalled “PPML data”.

Generally, in the VDP application, the positions and layout of thevariable region and the fixed region are designated by an arrangement offrames by the user. When the frames are arranged, the object type suchas text, image, or the like is also designated together with them. Atthis time, all sizes of the objects in the variable region which arecustomized every customer are not always the same size. Therefore, whenthe object is actually arranged in the variable region and drawn, such aproblem may occur that a part of the object or the whole object in thevariable region overlaps with a neighborhood object and an overlapportion of the object in the variable region and the neighborhood objectbecomes difficult to view. Even in the case where there is an objectsuch as a background which is arranged so as to overlap with the framefrom the beginning, such a problem may occur that when the object isarranged in the variable region and drawn, the variable region becomesdifficult to view. An object which is drawn first is called “background”and an object which is drawn later is called “foreground” hereinbelow.

As for a problem about an appearance of the overlap portion, aphenomenon differs in dependence on a combination of the object types,transparency which the object has, and the presence or absence of abackground color of the frame. For example, when a combination of theobject types of the overlap portion is that the background is a text andthe foreground is an image, if the image is perfectly opaque, the textcannot be perfectly seen, and if the image has transparency, the text istransparent. When the background is an image and the foreground is atext, if the frame of the text has a background color, the image cannotbe perfectly seen, and if the frame does not have a background color,the image other than the portion where it overlaps with the text can beperfectly seen. However, at this time, there is a possibility that thetext is difficult to view in dependence on a concentration or the likeof the image. When both of the background and the foreground are texts,if the frame of the foreground text has a background color, thebackground text cannot be perfectly seen. On the other hand, if it doesnot have a background color, the background text other than the portionwhere it overlaps with the foreground text can be perfectly seen.However, at this time, there is a possibility that the background textand the foreground text overlap with each other and are difficult toview. When both of the background and the foreground are images, if theforeground image has transparency, the background image is transparent,and if the foreground image is perfectly opaque, the background image isabsolutely invisible. The presence or absence of the transparency andthe presence or absence of the background color of the frame are called“transparency information” hereinbelow.

As a related art, as disclosed in PTL1, such a technique that a link forpreventing an overlap is preliminarily set to frames so that the frameswhich are arranged on a document template do not overlap exists. Sizesof the linked frames are adjusted in accordance with an image or textwhich is fed into a variable region so that the linked frames do notoverlap with each other or they are adjusted so that the image or textlies within the frame.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-244276

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, if the size of frame is changed so that the neighborhood framedoes not overlap as disclosed in the related art, the layout changes andthere is a possibility that a finish state which the user desired is notobtained. Also in the case where the size of text or image is convertedto the size at which the text or image lies within the frame, theoriginal text or image is changed and such a problem that the imagebecomes too small that it becomes invisible or characters are broken andcannot be read occurs. In the case where the variable region is arrangedon the background, since an overlap due to the linking of the framescannot be avoided, the problem to the difficulty of seeing cannot besolved.

As mentioned above, according to the method of preventing the occurrenceof the overlap portion due to the linking between the frames in therelated art, since the layout or object size is changed without asking,there is a possibility that a finish which the user does not desire isobtained.

It is an object of the invention to set a softmask to a portion whereobjects overlap with each other in order to allow the user to provide anobject of a desired appearance.

Solution to Problem

In order to overcome the above problems, the invention provides aninformation processing apparatus comprising a softmask setting means forsetting a softmask every combination of objects of an overlap portion ofthe objects and a softmask applying means for applying the softmask tothe overlap portion of the objects in accordance with the settingperformed by the softmask setting means.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the invention, it is possible to set the softmask for everycombination of the overlapping manners of the objects and to form printjob data in which the set softmask is applied to the relevant object.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a construction of aVDP system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a construction of aclient PC and a print server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a block diagram illustrating aconstruction in which the VDP system operates.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a module construction of a VDPapplication of an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example for describing a softmask.

FIG. 6 is a table of an applying example of the softmask to acombination of overlapping manners of objects and its appearance state.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of an example for describing an application of amask of a predetermined value and a gradation mask.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of an example for describing an application of amask of a predetermined value and a gradation mask.

FIG. 7C is a diagram of an example for describing an application of amask of a predetermined value and a gradation mask.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of an example of a template editing display screen.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of an example of a preview display screen.

FIG. 9A is a diagram of an example of a softmask setting display screen.

FIG. 9B is a diagram of an example in which after a selection of a frameis received, the softmask setting display screen is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of softmask setting information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a flow for softmask setting.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing an application of a softmask to anoverlap portion.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing a flow for a softmask individualsetting.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example in which a description of thesoftmask application is added to PPML data.

FIG. 15 is a softmask setting preview display screen for reading thePPML data and displaying a finish image of every record to the user.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing a flow for a softmask applicationincluding an exchange of foreground and background objects.

FIG. 17A is a diagram of an example in which the gradation mask isapplied to the selected frame.

FIG. 17B is a diagram of an example in which the gradation mask isapplied to the selected frame.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example in which after a selection of oneframe is received, the softmask setting display screen is displayed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing a flow for a softmask setting tothe formed PPML data.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for describing a flow from a creation of a VDPdocument to an output of VDP data.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an example for describing an overlap state ofobjects which can be expressed by combination information of overlappingmanners of objects.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow onthe basis of the drawings.

First Embodiment <Fundamental Construction>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a construction of aVariable Data Print (hereinbelow, referred to as “VDP”) system having aninformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment. TheVariable Data Print system has a client PC (personal computer) 101, aprint server 102, a printer 103, and a DB (database) server 105. Theprinter 103, print server 102, and client PC 101 are connected through anetwork (hereinbelow, referred to as “NW”) 104 and can communicate witheach other. The client PC 101 can transmit VDP data to the print server102. The print server 102 can transmit a print instruction to theprinter 103 via the NW 104. The printer 103 receives the printinstruction via the NW 104. The DB server 105 stores DB data or the likewhich is used in a VDP application.

<Construction of Computer Apparatus>

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a construction ofthe client PC 101 and print server 102. In FIG. 2, a CPU 201 controlsthe whole apparatus in accordance with a control program stored in a RAM204. A computer program which is executed by the CPU 201 has been storedin a ROM 207. The RAM 204 is a non-volatile memory and stores variouskinds of programs and data files loaded from the ROM 207 or an HDD 205.The program stored in the RAM 204 reads out or writes contents of datawhich is stored in the RAM 204, receives an input from an inputcontroller 202, or displays an image by a video controller 203. The CPU201 loads the programs, data, and the like which are necessary uponexecution of various kinds of processes into the RAM 204 and executesthe programs, thereby realizing the various kinds of processes.

The input controller 202 controls an input from a pointing device suchas keyboard, mouse, or the like. The video controller 203 controls adisplay to a display such as a CRT display (hereinbelow, referred to as“CRT”) or the like. The display is not limited to the CRT but may be aliquid crystal display or the like. The HDD 205 is a storage device of alarge capacity. Various kinds of software which are executed by the CPU201 have been stored in the HDD 205. The HDD 205 is also used as atemporary storage area of data which is processed. The various kinds ofsoftware stored in the HDD 205 are read out into the RAM 204 inaccordance with necessity, functions of an operating system which haslikewise been read out into the RAM 204 are used in accordance withnecessity, and they are executed under control of the CPU 201.

A communication IF 206 is connected to and communicates with an externalapparatus through the NW and executes a communication control process ofa computer. For example, the communication IF 206 executes Internetcommunication using TCP/IP, a transmission and a reception of datato/from the printer, and the like. The CPU 201 executes, for example, arasterizing process in an area for display information of the RAM 204,thereby enabling a display on the CRT to be performed. The CPU 201 alsoenables the user to instruct by a mouse cursor or the like on the CRT.

FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram illustrating a construction inwhich the VDP system operates. Reference numeral 301 denotes a client PCand corresponds to the client PC 101 in FIG. 1. A VDP application 311including an information processing apparatus for realizing theinvention operates. A DB server 302 manages a DB 312. The DB 312 has DBdata 315 for supplying data to a variable region of a variable dataprint document (hereinbelow, referred to as “VDP document”). In aprinter 303, an RIP (Raster Image Process) program (hereinbelow,referred to as “RIP”) 313 operates and a printing process is executed bya printer engine 316. A print server 304 receives the PPML data from theclient PC 301 and transmits to the printer 303 via the NW.

The VDP application 311 transmits an obtaining request for datadesignated as data in the variable region to the DB 312 of the DB server302 through an NW 321 and obtains the DB data 315 through the NW 321.The VDP application 311 forms PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language)data 314 by using the obtained DB data 315. The VDP application 311transmits the formed PPML data 314 to the print server 304 through an NW322. Subsequently, the print server 304 which received the PPML data 314transmits the PPML data 314 to the printer 303 together with a printinstruction. The RIP 313 executes an RIP process to the PPML data 314,transmits a result of the RIP process to the printer engine 316, andexecutes a printing process.

<Module Construction>

The embodiment will be described on the assumption that an informationprocessing module of the invention has been installed as a part of themodules of the VDP application. However, the invention is not limited toit but may be an application independent of the VDP application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a module construction of a VDPapplication 40 in the embodiment. The VDP application 40 is constructedby a UI unit 401, a template editing unit 402, an overlap portioninformation obtaining unit 403, a softmask setting unit 404, a DBconnecting unit 405, and a VDP job output unit 406. The VDP application40 operates on the client PC 301. An executing process of each module iscontrolled by the CPU 201.

The UI unit 401 is a module for displaying a template editing displayscreen and a softmask setting display screen to the user and receivingthe operation from the user. The template editing display screen will bedescribed hereinafter by using FIGS. 8A and 8B. The softmask settingdisplay screen will be described hereinafter by using FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The template editing unit 402 is a module for editing a template of theVDP document. In accordance with an editing instruction of the userreceived by the UI unit 401, an edition of a paper surface and adesignation of a variable region/fixed region are reflected to thetemplate. The DB data 315 obtained from the DB is applied to thevariable region of the template. Since the template editing unit 402 isa function equipped for the general DP application 311, a detailedprocess is omitted.

The overlap portion information obtaining unit 403 is a module forobtaining information regarding a drawing region of an overlap portionand combination information of overlapping manners of objects. Theinformation regarding the drawing region of the overlap portion denotesinformation regarding a drawing of print data such as shape, size,position, and the like of the overlap portion.

The combination information of the overlapping manners of the objectsdenotes a combination of an object type and transparency information ofeach object constructing the overlap portion. The information isexpressed as follows by using the object types and transparencyinformation of the background object and the foreground object. “Objecttype (the presence or absence of transparency) of the backgroundobject+object type (the presence or absence of transparency) of theforeground object”. An example of an overlap state of the objects whichcan be expressed by the combination information of the overlappingmanners of the objects will be described by using FIG. 21. In FIG. 21,reference numeral 2101 denotes a foreground object; 2102 a backgroundobject; 2103 a portion constructing an overlap portion of the object2101 with the object 2102; and 2104 a portion constructing an overlapportion of the object 2102 with the object 2101. Now, in the case of animage in which both of the object types of the objects 2101 and 2102indicate a perfectly opaque image, the combination information of theoverlapping manners of the objects is “image (opaque)+image (opaque)”.In the case of an image in which both of the object types of the objects2101 and 2102 indicate a text of a frame having no background color anda perfectly opaque image, the combination information of the overlappingmanners of the objects is “image (opaque)+text (no background color)”.For simplicity of description here, it is assumed that the presence orabsence of transparency of the background object does not exert a largeinfluence on a type of softmask which is set for the combinationinformation of the overlapping manners of the objects. In the followingdescription, a description about the presence or absence of transparencyof the background object is omitted. In the case where the descriptionabout the presence or absence of transparency of the background objectis omitted, the combination information of the overlapping manners ofthe objects is “object type of the background object+object type(presence or absence of transparency) of the foreground object”. Theoverlap portion information obtaining unit 403 will be describedhereinafter.

The softmask setting unit 404 is a module for forming and editingsoftmask setting information in accordance with the editing instructionfrom the user received by the UI unit 401. The softmask settinginformation will be described hereinafter. The DB connecting unit 405 isa module for connecting to the DB 312 and obtaining the DB data 315. TheVDP job output unit 406 is a module for outputting the VDP data in whichthe DB data 315 stored in the DB 312 and obtained by the DB connectingunit 405 has been applied to the variable region. The embodiment will bedescribed on the assumption that a VDP job is the PPML data. A softmaskis described in the VDP data in accordance with an instruction, whichwill be described hereinafter.

<Softmask>

The softmask will be described. The softmask is defined as an object formaking a part of the objects semi-transparent and is formed by using abitmap. Since the transparency is set in accordance with a pixel valueof the bitmap, a portion having a pixel value of the softmask applied tothe object becomes semi-transparent and the background object becomestransparent. At this time, even if the bitmap which is defined as asoftmask has an arbitrary color space, it can be formed. However, if thebitmap has a color space other than a gray scale, it is converted intothe gray scale at the time of the RIP process.

Thus, the value changes by the RIP and there is a possibility that thesoftmask which the user desired is not obtained. Therefore, theembodiment will be described on the assumption that the softmask isformed by a bitmap of the gray scale.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example for describing the softmask. In FIG.5, reference numerals 501 and 502 denote perfectly opaque objects whichdo not have transparency and construct an overlap portion. Referencenumeral 501 denotes the foreground object; 502 the background object;503 an overlap portion of the object 501; and 504 an overlap portion ofthe object 502. Since the object 501 is drawn after the object 502, theoverlap portion 504 is in a state where it is perfectly hidden by theoverlap portion 503. An appearance such as “visible”, “invisible”,“transparent”, or the like is called “appearance state” hereinbelow.Reference numeral 505 denotes a softmask for partially making the object501 semi-transparent so that the overlap portion 504 becomestransparent. The softmask 505 has the same size as that of the object501 and is a bitmap of the gray scale in which only a portion of theoverlap portion 503 of the object 501 has a pixel value. By the softmask505, transparency is given only to the portion of the overlap portion503 of the object 501, so that the overlap portion 504 becomestransparent. A state where the overlap portion becomes semi-transparentby the softmask is expressed as “softmask is applied” hereinbelow.

<Appearance State and Softmask Application>

Since the appearance state of the overlap portion differs in dependenceon the combination information of the overlapping manners of theobjects, the combination information of the overlapping manners of theobjects and the appearance state become materials for discriminatingwhether or not the softmask is applied. FIG. 6 is a table of an applyingexample of the softmask to the combination of the overlapping manners ofthe objects and the appearance state. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601denotes combination information of overlapping manners of objects; 602an appearance state of the foreground and background objects of theoverlap portion; and 603 an applying example of the softmask. Forexample, a line 604 denotes that an appearance state in the case wherethe combination information of the overlapping manners of the objects is“text+image (opaque)” shows that the foreground is visible and thebackground is invisible. At this time, if the user desires that theappearance state of the text is changed from “invisible” to“transparent”, by applying the softmask to the foreground image, theappearance of the background text which the user desires can beprovided. This table is used as a material for discriminating thesoftmask selection at the time of a recommended softmask setting. Therecommended softmask setting will be described hereinafter.

<Type of Softmask>

The type of softmask will be described. In the embodiment, as a softmasktype, the following three kinds are used: (1) a mask of a predeterminedvalue, (2) a gradation mask, and (3) no mask. The mask of thepredetermined value of (1) is a softmask in which an opaque degree isuniform in an applying region. The gradation mask of (2) is a softmaskin which a density of the color is smoothly and continuously changed inthe applying region so as to have a gradation in the designateddirection such as “portrait”, “landscape”, “oblique”, or the like. Thegradation mask is used, for example, in the case where a boundarybetween the applying region of the softmask and a region out of theapplying region is made inconspicuous, the case where a portion whichthe user wants to improve the appearance state is distributed unevenlyin the applying region, or the like. No mask of (3) denotes that thesoftmask is not applied to the overlap portion.

An application of the mask of the predetermined value and the gradationmask will be described by using FIGS. 7A and 7B. Reference numeral 701in FIG. 7A denotes an overlap portion in which the combinationinformation of the overlapping manners of the objects is “image+text(transparent)” and it has been set so that the softmask is applied tothe overlap portion of the background object.

The application of the mask of the predetermined value to the overlapportion of the object in FIG. 7A will be described by using FIG. 7B.Reference numeral 702 denotes a mask of a predetermined value. The maskof the predetermined value 702 has the same size as that of thebackground object. A gray portion 703 having a pixel value has the samesize as that of the overlap portion 701 in FIG. 7A. The mask of thepredetermined value 702 is such a bitmap of the gray scale that only theoverlap portion of the background object has a uniform pixel value.Since the transparency is set in accordance with the pixel value of thegray portion, if the softmask 702 is applied to foreground object inFIG. 7A, only the gray portion 703 of the softmask 702 becomessemi-transparent, so that the background object becomes transparent(704).

The application of the gradation mask to the overlap portion of theobject in FIG. 7A will be described by using FIG. 7C. Reference numeral705 denotes a gradation mask. The gradation mask 705 has the same sizeas that of the background object in FIG. 7A. A gray portion 706 having apixel value has the same size as that of the overlap portion 701 in FIG.7A. The gradation mask 705 is such a bitmap of the gray scale that thepixel value of the gray portion 706 is continuously changed in such amanner that the inside of a region of the overlap portion of thebackground object becomes a gradation. If the softmask 705 is applied toforeground object in FIG. 7A, the transparency changes smoothly inaccordance with the pixel value of the gradation of the softmask 705, sothat the background object becomes transparent (707).

<Template Editing Display Screen>

FIG. 8A is a diagram of an example of a template editing display screen80 of the VDP application. An editing instruction from the user which isexecuted on the template editing display screen 80 is processed by thetemplate editing unit 402 in accordance with the editing instruction ofthe user received by the UI unit 401. Reference numeral 80 denotes awindow for performing a layout of a VDP document; 802 a template toarrange objects into the VDP document; and 803 and 804 frames in each ofwhich a variable region is arranged. An input signal of a keyboard orpointing device connected to the client PC 101 is received through theinput controller 202 and the operation such as creation, movement, orselection is executed. Reference numeral 805 denotes a fixed region.Since an object which is drawn in the fixed region does not change inaccordance with the information of the DB data 315, an object which isactually drawn is displayed. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the objects which arearranged in the variable regions 803 and 804 on the basis of the DB data315 are an image and a text, respectively. The variable region 804 isdrawn precedently to the variable region 803. It is now assumed that thevariable regions 803 and 804 can be expanded or contracted in dependenceon sizes of the objects which are arranged on the basis of thedesignation of the DB data 315. Reference numeral 806 denotes a softmasksetting button. When the UI unit 401 receives a selection of thesoftmask setting button 806, a softmask setting display screen isdisplayed. Reference numeral 801 denotes a preview button. When the UIunit 401 receives a selection of the preview button 801, a finish imageof the printing to which the received softmask setting is applied isdisplayed on a preview display screen.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of an example of a preview display screen 81.Reference numeral 811 denotes a variable region and 812 indicates afixed region. Both of the regions 811 and 812 are perfectly opaqueimages. The regions 811 and 812 have an overlap portion. The finishimage of the printing in the case where the DB data 315 is applied tothe variable region 811 and the softmask setting is applied to a printimage as a result obtained by executing the RIP process is displayed onthe preview display screen.

<Obtainment of Overlap Portion Information>

An obtainment of overlap portion information will be described. A seriesof processes regarding the obtainment of the overlap portion informationare executed by the overlap portion information obtaining unit 403. Theoverlap portion information is constructed by overlap portion drawingregion information and object types and transparency information of theobjects constructing the overlap portion. The overlap portion drawingregion information can be obtained by detecting an overlap of theobjects and calculating a size and a drawing position of the overlapportion from a size and a drawing position of each object.

Subsequently, an obtainment of the object type of the overlap portionwill be described. In the case of the object in the fixed region, sinceit does not change in accordance with the information of the DB data315, the object type is obtained from the objects arranged in thetemplate. In the case of the variable region, generally, since theobject type is determined when the frame is arranged, the object type isobtained from the arranged frame. If the object type is not determinedwhen the frame is arranged, the object type is obtained from theinformation of objects which are arranged on the basis of theinformation of the DB data 315.

The transparency information is information of the presence or absenceof the transparency. In the case of the frame of the text, the presenceor absence of the transparency is discriminated by checking whether ornot the frame arranged at the time of forming the VDP document has thebackground color. The presence or absence of the transparency of theimage is discriminated by checking whether or not the object has analpha value (also called an alpha channel).

<Softmask Setting Display Screen>

FIG. 9A is a diagram of an example of a softmask setting display screen90. Reference numeral 90 denotes a window for performing a softmasksetting. A softmask setting instruction from the user which is executedon the softmask setting display screen 90 is processed by the softmasksetting unit 404 in accordance with an instruction from the softmasksetting button 806 of the user received by the UI unit 401. Referencenumeral 901 denotes a softmask setting method selecting radio button forselecting a setting method of the softmask; 904 an object selectionpulldown for designating a softmask applying target object; 905 asoftmask type selection pulldown for selecting a type of softmask; 907 apriority selection pulldown for selecting an item of a priority of arecommended softmask setting; and 908 an OK button. A result set by thesoftmask setting display screen is temporarily stored into the HDD 205.When the input controller 202 controls the input from the pointingdevice such as keyboard, mouse, or the like, each of 901, 904, 905, 907,and 908 executes the selecting operation.

As a softmask setting method, the softmask setting display screen 90 hasa softmask details setting 902 and a recommended softmask setting 906.The softmask details setting 902 receives a selection, from the user,about to which one of the foreground and background objects which typeof softmask is applied every combination of the overlapping manners ofthe objects and obtains the softmask setting result. The setting resultof the softmask which is set by the softmask setting display screen iscalled “softmask setting information” hereinbelow. When the UI unit 401receives a selection of the OK button 908 on the softmask settingdisplay screen from the user, the softmask setting information can bestored into the HDD 205. Stored softmask setting information 100 can bereused for another VDP document. The reuse of the softmask settinginformation 100 will be described hereinafter.

The recommended softmask setting 906 receives an appearance priorityfrom the user and automatically sets the softmask suitable for thecombination of the overlapping manners of the respective objects on thebasis of the priority. The appearance priority denotes, for example, apriority allocation based on the object type such as “a priority isgiven to an appearance of the image than the text”, a priorityallocation according to a difference of the fixed region and thevariable region such as “a priority is given to an appearance of theobject in the variable region than the fixed region”, or the like. Inthis instance, as an appearance priority, it is assumed that “textpriority”, “image priority”, “fixed region priority”, and “variableregion priority” can be selected. A case of “text priority” will bedescribed as an example. For instance, for the combination informationof the overlapping manners of the objects showing “image+text(transparent)”, the mask of the predetermined value of the hightransparency is set to the background image in such a manner that thetext can be desirably seen. For the combination information of theoverlapping manners of the objects showing “text+image (opaque)”, themask of the predetermined value of the high transparency is set to theoverlap portion of the foreground image in such a manner that thebackground text can be desirably seen. The softmask setting informationassociated with the appearance priority has been stored in the HDD 205.When the selection of the priority is received from the user, thesoftmask setting information associated with the selected appearancepriority is called.

<Softmask Setting Information>

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of the softmask setting information100. Reference numeral 1001 denotes combination information ofoverlapping manners of objects; 1002 an object as a softmask applyingtarget; and 1003 a type of softmask. The softmask setting informationallows the softmask applying target object 1002 and the softmask type1003 to be associated with the combination information 1001 of theoverlapping manners of the objects.

<Whole Flowchart>

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for describing a flow from a creation of a VDPdocument to an output of the VDP data according to the informationprocessing apparatus. First, in step S2001, a start of creation of theVDP document is received. Subsequently, in step S2002, the softmasksetting is received. Subsequently, in step S2003, the application of thesoftmask is received. Finally, in step S2004, the formed VDP document isoutput as VDP data. The softmask setting in step S2002 and the softmaskapplication in step S2003 will be described hereinafter.

<Softmask Setting Flow>

A flow for the softmask setting in step S2002 in FIG. 20 will bedescribed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing the flow for thesoftmask setting. The softmask setting flow will be described by usingFIGS. 8A to 9B. First, in step S1101, when the UI unit 401 receives theselection of the softmask setting button 806 on the template editingdisplay screen 80, the softmask setting display screen 90 in FIGS. 9Aand 9B is displayed. At this time, as an initial display of the softmaskdetails setting 902, default values of the softmask applying targetobject 904 and the softmask type 905 according to combinationinformation 903 of overlapping manners of objects are displayed. It isassumed that the default values are such softmask setting informationthat both of the background object and the foreground object can beuniformly seen and do not become unnatural. For example, in the case of“image+image (opaque)”, the softmask is set so as to apply the gradationmask to the overlap portion of the foreground image in such a mannerthat both of the background object and the foreground object are visibleand do not become unnatural. Subsequently, in step S1102, when the UIunit 401 receives the selection of the radio button 901, the softmasksetting method is designated. Subsequently, if the setting method is thesoftmask details setting in step S1103, the selection of the softmaskapplying target object 904 and the softmask type 905 are received forthe combination information 903 of the overlapping manners of respectiveobjects in step S1104. On the other hand, if the setting method is therecommended softmask setting in step S1103, the selection of theappearance priority is received by the pulldown 907 in step S1105. Thesoftmask setting information associated with the appearance priority isobtained from the HDD 205 in step S1106. Finally, in step S1107, thesoftmask setting information in step S1104 or S1106 is stored in stepS1107, and the softmask setting is finished.

The case where the setting of the softmask by the softmask settingdisplay screen 90 is applied to the whole VDP document has beendescribed above. In the case of applying the softmask to an individualframe or between the objects, after a selection of the frame or objectis received, the softmask is set by the softmask setting display screento a combination of the object types of the applying target object. Sucha process is called “softmask individual setting”.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing a flow for the softmask individualsetting. The softmask individual setting will be described by usingFIGS. 8A, 8B and 9B. First, in step 1300, a selection of the frames 803and 804 in FIGS. 8A and 8B is received from the user. Subsequently, instep 1301, the selection of the softmask setting button 806 is receivedfrom the user and the softmask setting display screen is displayed. FIG.9B is a diagram of an example of a softmask setting display screen inthe softmask individual setting. FIG. 9B is the softmask setting displayscreen at the time when the selection of the softmask setting button 806is received after the UI unit 401 received the selection of the frames803 and 804. Reference numeral 911 denotes a region for performing thesoftmask details setting and 912 indicates combination information ofoverlapping manners of objects. At this time, if it has already beenknown that the object types of the variable regions 803 and 804 are thetext and the image at the time of frame selection, in the combinationinformation 912 of the overlapping manners of the objects, a combinationin which the type of softmask cannot be set is not displayed. Processesin steps S1302 to S1306 are substantially the same as those in stepsS1102 to S1106 in FIG. 11. Finally, in step S1307, the softmask settinginformation is stored in the HDD 205 in association with the frame inwhich the selection is received.

Although the variable regions are used in the softmask individualsetting in the above description, even in the case where one of them isthe fixed region, the same processes are executed. In the case of thefixed regions, the objects are selected instead of the frames.

<Softmask Applying Flow>

Subsequently, a flow for an application of a softmask to the overlapportion and a PPML output in step S2003 will be described. FIG. 12 is aflowchart for describing the softmask application to the overlapportion. First, in step S1201, when objects are arranged in a documenttemplate which is being edited by the VDP application on the basis ofthe information of the DB data 315, a portion where the objects overlappartially with each other is detected by the overlap portion informationobtaining unit 403. When the overlap portion is detected in step S1201,overlap portion drawing region information is obtained by the overlapportion information obtaining unit 403 in step S1202. Informationregarding the drawing of the overlap portion such as drawing size,drawing position, and the like of the softmask is obtained from theoverlap portion drawing region information. In step S1203, thecombination information of the overlapping manners of the objects isobtained. Subsequently, in step S1204, the softmask setting informationset in step S2002 in FIG. 20 is obtained from the HDD 205. Subsequently,in step S1205, a type of softmask corresponding to the combinationinformation of the overlapping manners of the objects is decided on thebasis of the obtained softmask setting information. Subsequently, instep S1206, whether or not the decided softmask type is “no softmask” isdiscriminated. If it is determined in step S1206 that the softmask typeis “no softmask”, since there is no need to form the softmask, theprocessing routine is finished as it is. If it is determined in stepS1206 that the softmask is formed, in step S1207, the softmask is formedby the bitmap of the gray scale from the drawing region information andthe softmask type.

Finally, in step S1208, a description for applying the object of theformed softmask to the softmask applying target object is added to thePPML data.

<Description of Softmask>

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example in which the description of thesoftmask application is added to the PPML data. FIG. 14 is a descriptionof Version3.0 of PPML and the softmask can be defined by a SOFTMASKelement. The PPML data has a layer structure. In the layer structure, aPPML element is set to the highest layer and a PAGE element defines alogical page. A MARK element designates a layout of the objects in thepage. An OBJECT element defines an object which is drawn in the page.The MARK and OBJECT elements can have the SOFTMASK element as a childelement. The SOFTMASK element defines a softmask as an object forpartially making other objects transparent. The SOFTMASK element has aSOURCE element as a child element. The SOURCE element defines an objectwhich is converted into a softmask. Reference numeral 1401 in FIG. 14denotes a description of a softmask definition using the SOFTMASKelement. A bitmap “softmask” of the softmask is defined as a softmask bythe SOFTMASK element. The PPML data in FIG. 14 defines a layout of abackground object “background object” and a foreground object“foreground_object” and those two objects have an overlap portion. Thetwo objects are images and the foreground object “foreground_object” isa softmask applying target object. At this time, when the description ofthe softmask definition is added to a position before the foregroundobject “foreground_object”, the softmask is applied to the overlapportion of the foreground object “foreground_object”.

<Softmask Application after PPML Formation>

The method whereby the softmask is set by the VDP application at thetime of the template edition and the softmask is applied when the PPMLdata is output has been described above. A method whereby the settingand application of the softmask are executed after the PPML data isformed instead of the timing when the PPML data is output will bedescribed hereinbelow.

FIG. 15 is a softmask setting preview display screen 150 in which theformed PPML data is read and a finish image of every record is displayedto the user. Reference numeral 1501 in FIG. 15 denotes a softmasksetting information read button for reading the softmask settinginformation described in FIG. 10; 1506 a PPML data read button forreading the PPML data from the outside; 1502 a preview result displayregion of the read PPML data; 1503 and 1504 variable regions; 1505 afixed region; 1509 a record designation box for designating a number ofthe record which is previewed; 1510 a page designation box fordesignating a number of the page as a preview target; 1507 a softmasksetting button for displaying the softmask setting display screen; and1508 a preview button. When the UI unit 401 receives a selection of thepreview button 1508, a preview result of the VDP document to which achange to the PPML data has been reflected is displayed to the previewresult display region 1502. In FIG. 15, the 22nd page of the 5th recordof the PPML data is displayed.

A softmask setting to the formed PPML data will be described by usingFIG. 15. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing a flow for the softmasksetting to the formed PPML data. First, in step S1901, the UI unit 401receives the selection of the PPML data by selecting the PPML data readbutton 1506 and reads the PPML data. In step S1902, a print image of theread PPML data is displayed to the preview result display screen 1502.Subsequently, in step S1903, if the softmask setting information alreadyexists in the HDD 205 and is used again, the UI unit 401 receives aselection of the softmask setting information read button 1501 from theuser and obtains the softmask setting information. Subsequently, if thesoftmask setting information is not obtained in step S1904, in stepS1905, the UI unit 401 receives a selection of the softmask settingbutton 1507 from the user, displays the softmask setting display screen,and sets the softmask. If the softmask setting information is notobtained, default values are displayed. If the softmask settinginformation has already been obtained in step S1904, the obtainedsoftmask setting information is displayed on the softmask settingdisplay screen in step S1906. The softmask setting information is editedin step S1907. It is assumed that the softmask setting display screen isthe same as the display screen in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Finally, in stepS1908, the UI unit 401 receives a selection of the preview button 1508from the user and displays a print image to which the softmask settingresult has been reflected to the preview result display screen. In thecase of applying the softmask only to the selected frame of thedesignated page of the designated record, in a manner similar to thesoftmask individual setting at the time of the template edition, afterthe selection of the frame is received, the selection of the softmasksetting button is received and the softmask is set.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the example in which the appearance iscorrected for the overlap objects by using the softmask has beendescribed. In the second embodiment, an example in which an exchange ofthe foreground and the background of the overlap objects is added to thefirst embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment,substantially the same description as that for the first embodiment isomitted and only different points will be described. Therefore, itshould be noted that the first embodiment is also referred to if thereis no special description.

<Exchange of Background and Foreground>

There is a case where if the foreground and the background are exchangedin the overlap portion before the softmask setting, a mask which isapplied to the overlap portion is not made complicated more than it isneeded and an appearance can be improved. For example, in the case wherethe softmask is applied to the overlap portion of the image for thecombination information 604 of the overlapping manners of the objects,the background text remains rarely visible in dependence on theforeground image, and there is a possibility that a complicated softmaskis applied to further improve the appearance. At this time, after thetext existing on the background and the foreground image are exchanged,if a process for “image (opaque)+text” is executed, there is a casewhere the appearance of the text can be improved without applying thecomplicated softmask more than it is needed. When exchanging theforeground and the background, since transparency information of thebackground object exerts an influence on the selection of the softmask,the transparency information of the background object is obtained.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing a flow for a softmask applicationincluding an exchange of the foreground and background objects in theoverlap portion in the embodiment. Since processes in steps S1601 toS1605 are substantially the same as those in steps S1201 to S1205 inFIG. 12, their description is omitted. If an instruction to exchange theforeground and the background of the objects is obtained in step S1606,drawing order of the objects having the combination information of theoverlapping manners of the designated objects is changed in step S1607.After the exchange of the foreground and the background of the objectsis performed in step S1607, processes in steps S1608 to S1610 aresubstantially the same as those in steps S1206 to S1208 in FIG. 12.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the example in which the appearance iscorrected by using the softmask for the overlap objects has beendescribed. In the third embodiment, an example in which a softmaskapplication in the case where the objects do not over is added to thefirst embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment,substantially the same description as that for the first embodiment isomitted and only different points will be described. Therefore, itshould be noted that the first embodiment is also referred to if thereis no special description. The objects which are in contact with eachother in the landscape or portrait direction as illustrated in FIGS. 17Aand 17B without overlapping or the objects existing within a distancewhich is set by the user on a distance setting operating unit (notshown) are “approximate” objects.

<Softmask Application in Non-Overlap Case>

When the image is approximate to the text, there is a case wherecharacters of the text near the image are difficult to view. Even in thecase where they do not overlap as mentioned above, for the image whichis approximate to the text, by applying the softmask to the image sothat an opaque degree of a portion near the text decreases, the text canbe made to be easily seen. For example, when the frame of the textexists around the image, for example, on the right side thereof, such agradation mask in the portrait direction that an opaque degree of aright portion near the text is small and an opaque degree of a leftportion near the text is large is formed as a bitmap and applied to theimage. FIGS. 17A and 17B are an example of an image diagram in which thegradation mask is applied to the selected frame. Reference numeral 1701in (a) denotes a gradation mask and 1702 indicates a text frame.Reference numeral 1703 in (b) denotes an image diagram of a result inwhich the gradation mask 1701 is applied to an image to which a frame ofa text is approximate.

A method of applying the softmask in the case where the frames orobjects do not overlap with each other will be described by using FIGS.8A and 8B. FIG. 18 is a softmask setting display screen 180 which isdisplayed by receiving the selection of the softmask setting buttonafter a selection of one object is received on the template editingdisplay screen of FIGS. 8A and 8B. It is assumed that one object whoseselection is received is an object in the fixed region in which theobject type is the image. A softmask applying result 1801 visuallyexpresses an image showing which kind of softmask is applied in apositional relation between the frame of the text and the image.Reference numeral 1802 denotes a radio button for receiving adesignation of a mask of a predetermined value or a designation of adirection of the gradation. When the direction such as “portrait”,“landscape”, or the like is designated, the gradation mask is designatedin such a direction. When “uniform” is selected, the mask of apredetermined value is designated. By receiving the designation of theradio button 1802, the applying result 1801 in which the designatedsoftmask is applied to the selected image is updated. By receiving aselection of an OK button 1803, the softmask is set to the designatedobject. By the above setting, if the text exists near the designatedobject when the PPML data is output, a softmask which is applied to thewhole designated object is formed and the description of the softmask isadded to the PPML data.

Although the method of applying the softmask to the object in the fixedregion has been described above, substantially the same processes areexecuted to the variable region. In the case of the variable region, aselection of one frame is received.

As mentioned above, the softmask is set every combination of theoverlapping manners of the objects and print job data in which the setsoftmask is applied to the relevant object can be formed.

The optimum softmask can be set on the basis of an appearance prioritywhich the user desires.

The softmask can be set to the whole VDP document, to the individualframe, or between the objects.

The softmask can be set to the print job data when a print job is formedor to the print job data which is output. By applying the softmask tothe object in which the text frame exists approximately, a portion towhich the object of the text is approximate can be made easy to view.

Other Embodiments

The invention is also realized by executing the following processes.That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of theembodiments mentioned above is supplied to a system or apparatus througha network or various kinds of storage media and a computer (or a CPU orMPU or the like) of the system or apparatus reads out the program andexecutes the processes based on the program.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2011-145385, filed Jun. 30, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: softmask settingmeans for setting a softmask every combination of objects of an overlapportion of the objects; and softmask applying means for applying thesoftmask to the overlap portion of the objects in accordance with thesetting performed by the softmask setting means.
 2. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting performedby the softmask setting means includes a setting of types of the objectsconstructing the overlap portion.
 3. An information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the setting performed by the softmasksetting means includes a setting of the presence or absence oftransparency of each object constructing the overlap portion.
 4. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesetting performed by the softmask setting means includes a setting ofthe presence or absence of a background color of a text frame in whichthe objects constructing the overlap portion.
 5. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the softmask settingmeans sets the softmask on the basis of an appearance state.
 6. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesoftmask setting means sets the softmask to a whole document.
 7. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesoftmask setting means sets the individual softmask between two or moreframes.
 8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the softmask setting means sets the softmask to a frame orobject around which text frames which are approximate although they donot overlap exist.
 9. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the setting performed by the softmask setting means isstored.
 10. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the softmask setting means sets the softmask to an overlapportion of at least a text object and an image object.
 11. Aninformation processing method comprising: a softmask setting step ofsetting a softmask every combination of objects of an overlap portion ofthe objects; and a softmask applying step of applying the softmask tothe overlap portion of the objects in accordance with the settingperformed in the softmask setting step.
 12. An information processingmethod according to claim 11, wherein the setting performed in thesoftmask setting step includes a setting of types of the objectsconstructing the overlap portion.
 13. An information processing methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the setting performed in the softmasksetting means includes a setting of the presence or absence oftransparency of each object constructing the overlap portion.
 14. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesetting performed by the softmask setting step includes a setting of thepresence or absence of a background color of a text frame in which theobjects constructing the overlap portion.
 15. An information processingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the softmask setting step setsthe softmask on the basis of an appearance state.
 16. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the softmask settingstep sets the softmask to a whole document.
 17. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the softmask settingstep sets the individual softmask between two or more frames.
 18. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesoftmask setting step sets the softmask to a frame or object aroundwhich text frames which are approximate although they do not overlapexist.
 19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the setting performed by the softmask setting step is stored.20. A computer program comprising processor implementable steps forperforming a method according to claim 11.